Tape recorder

ABSTRACT

The disclosed tape recorder has a program mechanism for automatic preselection of the tape play cycle to provide forward, forward-reverse and continuous playing of the tape between the storage reels. A primary control slide is shifted to either side of a neutral position by drive means that is powered from a unidirectional motor. Drive members at opposite ends of a center pivoted, rotatable rocker arm are alternatively pivoted upwardly into a plane of engagement with the control slide according to a desired direction of movement of the slide. A manually operable selector knob is rotated in opposite directions from a center position to initiate tape transport in the selected direction after which it is promptly restored to its center position by control mechanism of the recorder. Mere depression of the selector knob places the recorder in a neutral or quiescent condition regardless of the programmed operating mode.

United States Patent Gordon E. Bradt Wilmette;

John W. Hipelius, Skokie; Leslie W. Johnson,.Chiongo; Zbigniew Mychal, Chicago, Ill.; George B. Shields, Waltham,

[72] Inventors Mass. Y [21] Appl. No. 738,274 [22] Filed June 19, 1968 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee Bell and Howell Company Chicago, Ill.

[54] TAPE RECORDER [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,741,439 4/1956 Dale et a1 242/204X 242/201X 2,785,892 3/1957 Pastor Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Attorney-Hume, Clement, Hume and Lee ABSTRACT: The disclosed tape recorder has a program mechanism for automatic preselection of the tape play cycle to provide forward, forward-reverse and continuous playing of thetape between the storage reels.

A primary control slide is shifted to either side of a neutral position by drive means that is powered from a unidirectional motor. Drive members at opposite ends of a center pivoted, rotatable rocker arm are alternatively pivoted upwardly into a plane of engagement with the control slide according to a desired direction of movement of the slide.

A manually operable selector knob is rotated in opposite directions from a center position to initiate tape transport in the selected direction after which it is promptly restored to its center position by control mechanism of the recorder. Mere depression of the selector knob places the recorder in a neutral or quiescent condition regardless of the programmed operating mode.

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H Wa I OOH TAPE neconnea INTRODUCTION The present invention relates generally to apparatus wherein an elongated record medium is moved between a pair of storage reels. More particularly, the invention is directed to recording and reproducing devices and to new and improved apparatus useful therein for selectively controlling the movement of a magnetic tape or the like between a pair of storage reels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary objective of the invention to provide a new and improved recorder-reproducer system of an efficient design that also affords the operator convenient control over a wide range of unique and highly desirable recorder functions. More particularly and according to one feature of the invention, a drive means provides bidirectional movement of a primary control means or slide from a unidirectional motor. Specifically, a control means is movable between a plurality of control positions for respectively conditioning the recorderreproducer system to transport the record medium in a preselected one of a forward and reverse direction and to halt transport of the record medium. The drive means includes a first member adapted for rotation about a predetermined axis by the motor means and further includes drive members positioned on opposite sides of the axis for rotation with the first member, the drive members being adapted to alternatively engage the control means. A selector means operates to displace a predetermined one of the drive members into engagement with the control means and to cause the motor to rotate the drive means to displace the control means to a predetermined one of its spaced positions.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a program mechanism for allowing preselection of one of a series of operating or cycling modes of the recorder, such as forward, forward-reverse and continuous play. More specifically, the invention in thisaspect is directed to a control means movable to a plurality of control positions for conditioning the apparatus to transport the record medium in a preselected forward or reverse direction and for halting transport of the record medium. A drive means is provided for moving the control means between its plurality of control positions and a program means is adapted for movement relative to the control means to a plurality of program positions each defining a predetermined operating mode for the apparatus. Program selection means is movable to a plurality of selector positions for effecting movement of the program means to a corresponding one of its plurality of program positions. An actuating means is provided for energizing the drive means to move the control means to a predetermined one of its plurality of control positions in accordance with the relative position of the program means and the control means.

A further objective of the invention is to permit the recorder system to be immediately halted or placed in a neutral condition by mere depression of a control knob regardless of which of a series of operating modes, or phases of these modes, that the recorder is in. To this end, there is provided a selector means adapted for movement in opposite directions from a center or neutral position relative to a first axis and for movement along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first control means is responsive to the movement of the selector means in each of the opposite directions relative to the first axis for initiating transport of the record medium in a corresponding one of the opposite directions, the control means being further adapted for restoring the selector means to its center neutral position after each actuation. A second control means is responsive to displacement of the selector means along its second predetermined axis for halting transport of the record medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood, however, by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the several FIGS. of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a recorder-reproducer embodying the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the drive mechanism of the invention for affording bidirectional movement of control means within the recorder from a single, unidirectional power source;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2 is an assembled condition;

FIG. is a perspective view taken from the underside of the recorder and illustrating additional portions of the drive mechanism of the invention and associated actuating apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the drive and actuating mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of various recorder control mechanisms for regulating transport of the tape between the storage reels;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the recorder mechanism particularly depicting the various recorder control slides;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the selector means for operating the drive mechanism of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 5 and illustrating other portions of the selector means;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a portion of the structure of FIG 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view particularly illustrating the programming mechanism of the recorder; and

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a portion of the programming mechanism of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 7 Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a recorderreproducer generally designated by the reference numeral 20 and including a rectangular enclosure 22 housing the various components of the recorder mechanism. Disposed within suitable annular cavities in the top deck or cover of the recorder 20 are a pair of storage reels 24 and 26, each adapted to alternately serveas a takeup and supply reel for the record medium, in the present example elongated magnetic recording tape. The reels 24 and 26 are each rotatably supported in conventional fashion about respective center spindles and each spindle is adapted to be selectively drive from a power drive source, presently to be considered, to effect the desired bidirectional transport of tape between the storage reels 24 and 26.

A magnetic recording tape is moved between the reels 24 and 26 within an elongated channel or passageway in the top deck of the recorder housing 22. Although not essential to the present invention, the illustrated recorder 20 is adapted for automatic threading of the tape between the spaced storage reels by use of a pneumatic threading means and, in this regard, the elongated channel serves as a guideway for the tape as it is drawn from the supply to the takeup reel by the pneumatic threading system. The aforesaid pneumatic threading system is disclosed in detail and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,326,491 to'Bradt et al. entitled Reversible Vacuum Hub Tape Reel and US. Pat. No. 3,334,831 to Bradt entitled Transport System for Limp Magnetic Tapes" both of which patents are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The threading system will therefore not be further considered herein.

Intermediate the spaced storage reels 24 and 26, there is provided a drive capstan 30 and a resilient pressure or pinch roller 32 adapted to cooperatively engage the magnetic recording tape 28 and move it along the face of a transducer 34 at a precisely controlled rate, as is essential to high quality recording or reproduction. With the illustrated positioning of the transducer 34, the tape is transported from the reel 26 to the reel 24 so as to first engage a pair of vertically spaced erase heads and then a pair of similarly spaced record-reproduce heads of the dual-track or stereophonic transducer assembly 34. The recorder is also adapted to record or reproduce stereo information on a second pair of tracks on the magnetic tape when the tape is transported in an opposite direction, i.e., from reel 24 to reel 26. To this end, there is provided a transducer shift mechanism generally noted by the reference numeral 36 in the drawing for pivotally displacing the transducer 34 from its first operating station illustrated in FIG. 1 to a second operating station in which the heads of the transducer 34 are appropriately aligned with the alternate tracks of the recording tape and with the transducer so oriented that the erase heads again precede the reproduce-record heads in the direction of tape transport. The transducer-shift structure 36 and cooperating recorder mechanism are fully disclosed and claimed in a concurrently filed application, Ser. No. 738,249 to J. W. Hipelius entitled Bidirectional Magnetic Recorder with Movable Head Assembly" and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Accordingly, the transducer shift structure 36 will not be considered in further detail herein.

The recorder 20 includes means for sensing the end of tape travel in each direction to actuate control and programming means presently to be considered and thereby either reverse the direction of tape transport or halt the recorder operation, as automatically determined by the operating mode preselected by the operator. This sensing means includes conventional split contacts on each of a pair of tape guideposts 37 and 38 positioned on opposite sides of the capstan 36 that develop electrical control signals when an aluminum patch on the tape shunts the split contacts.

The operation of the recorder 20 is controlled from a series of manually operable knobs and levers positioned along the forward portion of the top deck of the enclosure 22; for convenience and clarity of explanation, only those controls essential to an explanation of the present invention are illustrated although it is understood that the operating panel in fact includes a full complement of controls such as volume, tone, balance, etc. Specifically, the illustrated controls comprise an on-off lever 39 for energizing the electrical circuitry of the recorder 20 as well as the single unidirectional drive motor (not visible in FIG. 1) which, as will presently be explained, is utilized to effect bidirectional transport of the magnetic tape 28 between the storage reels and a power assist for displacing a control means or primary control slide between its various operating positions.

A second lever 40 on the control panel of the recorder 20 is movable within the limits of its travel to a series of detent positions each of which programs the recorder for a particular mode of operation. For example, in the specific embodiment disclosed, the lever 40 is movable to three positions corresponding respectively to a forward-stop, forward-reversestop and a continuous cycling mode of operation wherein the tape 28 is continuously replayed between the reels 24 and 26. A third control member 42, positioned intermediate the knobs 39 and 40, is the primary selector means for regulating operation of the recorder 20. The selector 42 in the illustrated and preferred embodiment is mounted for angular rotation in opposite directions about a center vertical axis to initiate transport of the record tape 28 in a corresponding one of its opposite directions of movement at a play or record speed. The control mechanism of the recorder 20 presently to be considered is adapted to return the selector 42 to its center neutral position subsequent to each actuation. The recorder is restored to a neutral condition irrespective of the direction of tape movement or operating mode selected via the program lever 40 by mere depression of the selector 42. Fast forward or reverse transport of the tape 28 is obtained by first depressing the knob 42 and then rotating it either to the right or left of its center position.

As earlier stated, the recorder 20 utilizes a single unidirectional drive motor to effect a bidirectional transport of the record medium as well as to provide a powered displacement of certain recorder control means between a plurality of positions. The drive means for performing the latter of the aforesaid functions is illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 2- 5. Referring first to FIG. 2, a driven shaft 44 is rotated at a like angular velocity as that of the motor drive shaft (not visible in FIG. 2) through a flexible belt drive to be considered hereinafter.

The driven shaft 44 is adapted to rotate a main gear member 46 about a predetermined axis denoted by the dotted vertical line in the drawing. Specifically, rotation of the main gear 46 by the shaft 44 is effected through a gear reduction train including a resilient drive puck 48 normally spaced from the driven shaft 44 but adapted for selective engagement therewith. The puck 48 is provided with a center mounted spur gear 50 which rotates a substantially larger gear 52, the gear 52 including a center spur gear 54 engaging complementary teeth about the periphery of the maingear 46. The gears 52 and 46 are pivotally mounted on posts extending from a base plate 55 while the puck 48 is mounted on a movable pivot arm (not visible in FIG. 2). I

A central mounting block 56 of the gear 46 is adapted to pivotally mount a rocker member 58 for rotation about a horizontal axis. To this end, the rocker member 58 is provided with a pair of upturned flanges at either side of a center mounting aperture which flanges are provided with U-shaped bearing recesses adapted to align with a similar U-shaped bearing passage ofthe mounting block 56; a pivot pin 60 (FIG. 3) extends through the respective bearings.

The rocker member 58 includes respective drive members 58a and 58b positioned on opposite sides of the vertical axis of rotation of the main gear 46. The drive members or rollers 58a and 58b are mounted on tabs extending laterally from sloped cam surfaces of rocker 58; the center portion of the rocker member 58 is ofa slight convex curvature.

In order to pivot or tilt the rocker member 58 between a pair of operating positions, a cam plate 62 is slidably mounted for movement along a track extending transversely to the bearing passage in the mounting block 56. A pair of spaced cam lugs 62a at each of the opposed ends of the cam plate 62 are adapted to alternatively engage the underside of the rocker member 58 to tilt the rocker member between its pair of operating positions. Lateral shifting of the cam plate 62 is accomplished through a slidably mounted linkage 64 in which opposed end segments of a C-shaped portion of the slide 64 engage opposite ends of the cam plate 62 to slide the cam plate 62 in accordance with the sliding movement of the linkage 64.

Once the cam plate 62 has been shifted to its desired position, the linkage 64 is restored to a center or neutral position by engagement of one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs on the gearwheel 46 with a cam surface on a respective one of the opposed ends of the C-shaped portion of the slide 64; in this regard, the lug 46a in FIG. 2 has just completed shifting of the slide 64 to the right to its neutral position, the cam plate 62 being in its leftmost operating position. The slide 64 is positively indexed in its neutral position by a resiliently biased ball (not shown) which seats in a circular recess or aperture 64a of the linkage 64.

The operation of the drive means to the extent so far described may be appreciated by reference to FIG. 3. As shown, the cam plate 62 is in its left operating position with the right-hand cam lugs 62a engaging the underside of the rocker member 58 to elevate the drive roller 58a to an operating position while lowering the drive roller 58b to an inoperative position. The drive rollers 58a and 58b are each adapted to engage in their operative positions a control means or primary control slide 66, the tilting of the drive members alternatively causing these members to be raised or lowered through an elongated slot 66a into or out' of a plane of engagement with the primary control member 66.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated further structure of the drive means as well as associated actuating mechanism. As shown, the drive means is mounted on the underside of a lower mounting platelfid which is spaced from an upper mounting plate or base 70 by a'series of vertical pillars of which three are visible in the FIG.

The drive means further includes a circular cam plate '72 mounted about a common axis of rotation with the main gear 46, the cam plate 72 being effective to control shifting of the resilient drive puck 4-8 into and out of engagement with the driven shaft 44. Specifically, the drive puck 48 is rotatably mounted at one end of an arm 76 which is pivoted at'its opposite end about a post 76. The post 76 also pivotally mounts a linkage arm 78; the linkage arms 76 and 78 are yieldably connected to one another by a hairpin spring and a downwardly turned flange 78a of the linkage 76 which engages the bearing post for mounting the drive puck dd to the arm 74. Thus, angular movement of the arm 78 pivots the puck 48 into and out of engagement with the driven post 44.

The linkage arm 78 is also provided with an upwardly bent tab 76b that is adapted to engage and follow the circumferential contour of the cam plate 72. The tab 78b is resiliently biased into engagement with the cam plate 72 by a spring 80 that connects an end of the linkage arm 76 to an adjacent end of a locating arm 82. The arm 62 is pivotally mounted about a post 86 and a depending locating lug 82a is resiliently biased into engagement with the cam plate 72 under the influence of the spring 80 and a second spring 86 adjacent the opposite end of the arm 82. With the tab 78b of the linkage arm 78 residing in any one ofthe four peripheral notches of the cam plate 72, the drive puck 48 is spaced from the driven shaft 44. However, if the arm 78 is pivoted sufficiently to lift the tab 78b from one of the notches, the drive puck 48 is shifted into engagement with the driven shaft 34 thereby rotating the main gear 46 through the gear reduction train previously described; the drive puck 48 remains in engagement with the driven shaft 66 until the tab 78b is allowed to drop into one of the peripheral notches on the cam plate 72 which, as will be recalled, rotates with the main gear 66.

The drive means is actuated by initially displacing the tab 78b from a peripheral notch of the cam plate 72 and such is accomplished by various actuating and selector means responsive to either an automatic control of the recorder 20 or manipulation of the various control knobs by the operator of the machine. With regard to automatic control a solenoid $8 is mounted on the underside of the lower mounting plate 68 and its movable plunger is connected by a pin and slot arrangement to the linkage arm 78 such that upon actuation of the solenoid 88 the linkage arm 78 is rotated in a clockwise direction to lift the tab 76b from a notch of the cam plate.

Manual control of the drive means is effected by actuation of the selector knob 62 mounted on the top control panel of the recorder deck. The selector knob 42 is affixed to a rotatable shaft 90 that is normally biased upwardly to a neutral position by a spring 92 that is captivated between the underside of the knob 42 and the top of the upper mounting base 70. in this neutral position, a lug at one end of a pivot arm affixed to the bottom of the shaft 90 projects upwardly through a slot in the slide member 66. Depression of the knob 42 lowers the lug on the pivot arm 94} below the plane of the slide 64 to release the drive connection.

Rotation of the knob 42 in either direction from its illustrated neutral position shifts the slide 64 causing one or the other of a pair of upturned tabs 64b and 64c of the slide 64 to engage a pivot arm 96 that is mounted near its center by a pivot post Q8. The pivot arm 96 is in turn connected to an extension of the pivot arm 78 by a connector rod Mill. Thus, rotation of the control knob 62 in either direction results in a clockwise rotation of the pivot arm 96 which through the rod we causes the tab 7% of the linkage arm 78 to be lifted clear of a notch on the cam plate 72. it should also be noted at this point that the angular position of the pivot arm 96 is influenced or controlled by the cooperative action of a program means to be described later herein and a roller 96a of the pivot arm 96 that projects upwardly through a clearance slot in the lower mounting base 68.

The manner in which the drive means is actuated may perhaps best be understood by reference now to FIG. 5. As there shown, rotation of the control knob 62 to one side of its neutral position has caused the tab 64b of the slide 66 to engage and rotate the pivot arm 96 in a clockwise direction thereby rotating the linkage arm 78 in a like direction about its pivot 76 via the connecting rod M0. Thus, the tab 78b of the linkage arm 78 is lifted clear of the adjacent notch in the cam plate 72 and the drive puck 42 is shifted into engagement with the driven shaft 416. it will be recalled that rotation of the puck 48 from the driven shaft 44 effects a rotation of the main gear 46 through a previously described gear reduction train and thus a like rotation of the cam plate 72 which is rigidly affixed to the same mounting shaft as the gear 46. Accordingly, the resilient puck 48 remains in engagement with the driven shaft 44 until the cam plate 72 rotates sufficiently so as to present a second peripheral notch to the tab 78b; dropping of the tab 73b into a successive notch of the cam plate 72 restores the linkage arm 78 to its original position displacing the drive puck 48 out of engagement with the driven shaft 44. Rotation of the cam plate 72 is thus halted and is not again commenced until actuation of the control knob 42 or the solenoid 83. The control knob 4l2 is, however, restored to its center neutral position after each actuation by virtue of its connection to the slide 64, the slide 64 being shifted to a corresponding position by the cam lugs of the main gear 46.

Although rotation of the control knob in either direction always rotates the pivot arm 96 in a clockwise path, it will be recognized that the slide member 64% is rotated in opposite directions with opposite rotation of the control knob 42. It will thus be recalled from the prior discussion of FIGS. 2 and 3 herein that the one one of the drive members 5811 and 58b that is elevated to an operating position is a function of the direction in which the control knob 42 is rotated. The significance of this fact in regulating operation of the control means will now be considered with reference to F K}. 6.

The control means or primary control slide 66 is confined to a linear sliding movement by a pair of mounting posts that extend through respective ones of a pair of elongated slots 66b and 66c in the slide. The control slide 66 is adapted to be shifted between a pair of control positions corresponding respectively to the rightmost and leftmost direction of travel of the slide for conditioning the recorder to transport the magnetic recording tape in respectively a forward and reverse direction. The control slide 66 is also adapted to assume a third control position intermediate its left and right limits of travel for halting transport of the tape.

Lateral shifting of the slide 66 between its several control positions is accomplished by engagement of a predetermined one of the drive members 56a and 58b of the drive means with the slide 66. In FIG. 6, the drive member 58a extends through the drive slot 66a and is moving the control slide 66 toward its rightmost control position. Since the drive means is normally adapted to be energized for only one-quarter revolution of the rocker plate 58, the control slide 66 is stopped when the rotating drive member 58a reaches its far right position. Assuming now, on the other hand, that the drive member 58b had been elevated into the slot 66a when the slide 66 was in its neutral position, it will be recognized that rotation of the rocker member 58 would in fact shift the control slide 66 to its left operating position. Thus, the control slide 66 is directly movable from its neutral position to either of its left or right operating positions depending on which one of the drive members 58a and 56b is elevated through the slot 660.

tape in the opposite directions between the tape storage reels and to halt tape transport. This power drive system comprises a single unidirectional motor 102 supported below the mounting base 70 and having a central drive shaft 104 to rotate a concentrically mounted drive pulley 106 and a stepped drive pulley 108. The lower pulley 106 is connected by a crossed belt 110 to a similar pulley 112 affixed to the driven shaft 44, the crossed belt 110 causing the driven shaft 44 to be rotated at a like angular velocity but in an opposite direction to the motor drive shaft 104. A stepped pulley 114 identical to the pulley 108 is mounted above the pulley 112 for for rotation with the driven shaft 44.

The stepped pulleys 108 and 114 are adapted for alternative driving connection to their respective tape drive hubs 116 and 118 in accordance with the selected direction of tape transport. The hubs 116 and 118 respectively support the tape storage reels 26 and 24 (FIG. 1) with the center spindles of the hubs in driving engagement with the corresponding storage reel.

in order to provide a drive connection between the pulleys 108 and 114 and their respective tape hubs 116 and 118, there are provided respective drive pucks 120 and 122 mounted on extension arms of associated pivot assemblies 124 and 126. The assemblies 124 and 126 are rotationally mounted about posts 128 and 120 and the assemblies are in fact composed of three members yieldably connected by springs.

The assemblies 124 and 126 are biased toward inoperative positions in which the pucks 120 and 122 are out of engagement with their respective drive pulleys 108 and 144 by hairpin springs mounted about the respective posts 128 and 130. However, cam surfaces on the control slide 66 are adapted to engage depending posts 124a and 126a of the assemblies 124 and 126 and rotate these assemblies against the bias of their springs into an operative position to effect a drive connection between the pulleys and their corresponding tape hubs. In FIG. 6, the drive puck 120 of the assembly 124 is in an operative position while the puck 122 of the assembly 126 is in an inoperative position. Hence, the magnetic tape moves from the storage reel mounted on the idle hub 118 to the storage reel mounted on the driven hub 116. An opposite situation occurs when the control slide 66 is in its left, as opposed to the illustrated right, operating position.

Each of the hubs 116 and 118 has associated therewith a respective brake wheel 132 and 134. The brake wheels are mounted in like fashion at the end of arms on respective L- shaped support assemblies 136 and 138 that are pivotally mounted at their bights about posts 140 and 142. The assemblies 136 and 136 are in fact composed of a pair of members maintained in yieldable engagement by springs. The assemblies 136 and 138 normally bias their associated wheels toward operative positions in engagement with the hubs under the influence of respective springs 144 and 146. Again, however, depending posts 136a and 1380 on the opposite arms of the assemblies 136 and 138 are adapted to ride cam surfaces on the control slide 66 which cam surfaces are effective to selectively position the brake wheels according to the location of the control slide. With the slide 66 approaching its rightmost operating position as illustrated in FIG. 6, the brake assembly 136 is rotated out of its operative position while the brake assembly 138 is biased into an operating position to maintain a selected tape tension as the tape is fed from the storage reel mounted on the hub 118.

The capstan shaft 30 is also adapted to be driven from one or the other of the oppositely rotating shafts 104 and 44 according to the selected direction to tape transport. To this end, a large drive puck 148 is rotatably mounted at one end of an arm 150 (only visible in dotted outline in the drawing) that is pivotally mounted about a post 152. The puck 148 is pivoted to operative positions in engagement with one or the other of the pulleys 108 and 114 under the influence ofa pair of pivot arms 154 and 156 which are resiliently coupled to one another by a spring 158 and adapted to alternatively engage an upstanding pin 150a on the pivot arm 150. In FIG. 6, the

arm 156 is engaging the pin and rotating the puck 148 into engagement with the drive pulley 108.

A pair of guide or locating arms 160 and 162 for the puck 148 are mounted about a common pivot post 164. The arms 160 and 162 normally prevent movement of the puck 148 from its center neutral position by virtue of their engagement with opposite sides of the upstanding pin 150a of the arm 150 and further by the engagement of their respective pins 160a and 162a with the elongated top surface of a rectangular aperture in the control slide 66. However, as the control slide 66 is moved toward either of its operating positions, a respective one of the pins 160a and 162a is confined to follow an associated curved guide slot at a corresponding end of the rectangular aperture. In FIG. 6, the pin 1620 is moving along its associated curved guide slot thereby rotating the arm 162 away from the pin 150a and allowing the arm 156 to pivot the puck 148 into engagement with the pulley 108.

In either of its operating positions, the drive puck 148 resiliently engages the periphery of a flywheel 166 of large mass that by virtue of its inertia tends to maintain a center capstan shaft 30 rotating at a constant speed irrespective of minor speed fluctuations in the electric motor 102. The drive puck 148 is, however, adapted to be cammed out of engagement with the flywheel 166 when the control slide is in a neutral position. To this end, a peaked cam sura surface 168 of the control slide 66 engages a pin 170 to bias the slide upon which the puck 148 is mounted axially outward relative to the arm 150. The primary purpose of such an arrangement is, of course, to preclude flats from developing on the circular periphery of the puck 148 when the recorder is turned off. The sloping of the cam peak 168 also affords a gradual reengagement of the drive puck 148 and the flywheel 166 as the control slide is shifted to either operating position to thereby avoid excessive wear on the puck 148 or chatter between the flywheel and drive puck during initial start-up.

The flywheel 166 is also braked to a stopped position whenever the recorder is returned to its neutral position. Specifically, a pair of brake pad arms 172 and 174 are mounted about pivot posts 176 and 178 on opposite sides of the flywheel 166. Respective hairpin springs wrapped about the posts 176 and 178 bias the brake arms 172 and 174 toward engagement with the flywheel 166. However, depending lugs 172a and 1740 of the respective brake arms engage respective cam surfaces on the control slide 66 to prevent the brake arms from assuming operative positions until the slide 66 is at its center neutral position whereat the lugs fall into respective notches 180 and 182 in the control slide 66.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another control slide 184 is illustrated in its mounted position overlying the primary control means or slide 66. A pair of mounting posts projecting through respective ones ofa pair of elongated mounting slots 184a and 18412 confine the slide 184 for longitudinal movement between a predetermined left and right operating position; the slide 184 is illustrated in its center or neutral position in FIG. 7. The slide 184 functions to selectively provide a fast rewind of the tape in either direction between the tape storage reels.

The slide 184 is moved to its left or right operating position by first depressing the selector knob 42 and then rotating it in a corresponding direction. Specifically, the shaft 90 of the selector knob has affixed thereto a pivot arm 186 having at its remote end a depending roller lug 188 adapted, upon depression of the selector knob 42, to engage a forked portion of the slide 184.

Movement of the slide 184 in its opposite directions causes a corresponding one of the drive assemblies 124 and 126 to ride downwardly along a respective sloped cam track 190 and 192 of the slide 184. With one of the assemblies 124 and 126 positioned at the base of its associated cam track, the corresponding one of the drive pucks 120 and 122 is adapted to effect driving engagement between larger diameter steps of the appropriate drive pulley and tape hubs. Accordingly, the hubs are driven at a much higher rotational speed than when the assemblies 124 and 126 are positioned at the top of the cam tracks 190 and 192.

An interlock between the slides 184 and 66 prevents the slide 184 from being laterally shifted to either of its operating positions unless the primary control slide 66 is in its center neutral position. Specifically, the interlock means comprises a lever 194 pivoted about a post 196 and having a roller lug 198 normally biased into a V-shaped notch in ;the slide 184. The clearance between the slide 66 and the slide 184 in the vicinity of the roller lug 198 is such that the lug cannot be displaced from the V-shaped notch and the slide 184 moved unless the rectangular notch 200 of the control slide 66 is aligned with the roller lug 198. This alignment occurs onlyif the control slide 66 is in its neutral position.

There is also illustrated toward the left-hand side of FIG. 7 a portion of an upper control slide 202 that is mounted for movement along the underside of the upper mounting plate 70 (not visible in FIG. 7). The upper slide 202 moves in correspondence with the primary control slide'66 by virtue of their interconnection through a vertical drive post 204. The upper slide 202 is adapted to control certain mechanisms on the top mounting plate 70 such as the transducer shift structure 36, etc. A more complete explanation of this apparatus is provided in the concurrently filed application earlier cited herein.

The selector means of he of the recorder 20 is constructed and arranged such that transport of the recording tape may at any time be halted by mere depression of the control knob 42. In this regard, it will be recalled that the control'knob 42 is always restored to its center neutral positionafter each actuation. Thus, the control knob 42 is always in its centerneutral position regardless of whether the tape may be moving in either of the opposite directions or halted.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 81 0, the construction and operation of the selector means may be appreciated in greater detail. Specifically, a linkage arm 208 is adapted to pivot about a post 210 and is provided with an upstanding actuating tab 212 at its left end. With the control slide 66 in its illustrated solid line position, the tab 212 is intermediate a pair of abutments 214a and 2l4b of a pivot member 214 that is supported from the underside of the control slide 66 by a post 216. However, if the control slide 66 is shifted from the illustrated solid line position corresponding to the neutral control position of the slide to either of its left or right operating positions, the tab 212 is aligned with oneor the other of the abutments 214a and 214k. For example, in the dotted line position of the slide 66 in FIG. 8, which corresponds to the right operating position of the slide, the tab 212 is aligned behind the abutment 214a. In this position, counterclockwise rotation assuming the control slide 66 to be in its right or dotted line position in FIG. 8, actuation of the linkage arm 208 at this time places the roller 222 in the path of the cam peak 224 as the control slide 66 returns to its neutral position under the influence of the drive means. On the other hand, if the linkage arm 208 is actuated when the control slide 66 is in its left operating position, the cam peak 226 restores the linkage arm 208 to its quiescent position. The actuating arm 208 is yieldably held in its quiescent position by frictional engagement with a spring arm 228 that is affixed by a screw to the mounting base 68. The coaction of the selector means with the program means to always restore the recorder to a neutral condition by mere depression of the knob 42 independently of the setting of the program selector will now be considered in conjunction with an explanation of the program means.

Referring to FIG. 11, the program means comprises a program'slide 230 adapted for movement relative to the primary control means or slide 66. Specifically, the slide 230 is mounted to the slide 66 by a series of posts which project through respective elongated guide apertures in the program slide 230. The slide 230 includes a tab 230a extending forwardly of the slide so as to be selectively engaged by a pair of abutments a and 40b of the program selector lever 40. The program lever 40 in the present embodiment is pivotally mounted on an L-bracket 232 secured to the base 68. The lever 40 in FIG. 1 I is shown in its forwardmost or continuous play position whereat the abutment 40a engages the stop 233. The lever 40 is movable rearwardly in succession to two other detent positions corresponding respectively to a forwardreverse-stop and forward-stop mode of tape play, respectively In the illustrated continuous play position of the lever 40, the tab 230a intercepts each of the abutments 40a and 4012 as the control slide 66 moves between its extreme limits of travel; in the intermediate position, the tab only intercepts the abutment 40b while in the last position both of the abutments 40a and 40b are moved clear of the tab 230a.

of the linkage arm 208 causes the tab'212 to engage the backside of the abutment 214 and displacethe pin 96a of the pivot arm 96 of the actuating means. This, as will be recalled, operates the drive means for one-quarter revolution thereby shifting the control slide from its right operating position back to its center neutral position. Of course, the same result is obtained when the control slide 66 is in its left control position excepting that the tab 212 now engages the abutment 2l4b.

An L-shaped kick lever 218 is pivotally mounted in a bearing 220 positioned adjacent a flat edge segment of the linkage 208. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 9 and 10, one end of the lever 218 is positioned beneath a collar 2200f the selector shaft 90 while its opposite end is positioned immediately adjacent the linkage arm 208. Accordingly, when the control slide is in either of its left or right operating positions, depression of the control knob 42 against the bias ofthe spring 92 rotates the kick lever 218 displacing the linkage arm 208 to operate the drive means for the control slide-66 in a manner above-described. Of course, depression of the selector knob 42 has no effect when the control slide 66 is already in its neutral position since the tab 212 of the linkage arm 208 is in this circumstance ineffective to cause displacement of the pin 96a of the pivot arm 96.

The linkage arm 208 is restored after each actuation to a position adjacent the kick lever 218 by engagement of a roller 222 of the linkage arm 208 with one or the other of a pair of cam peaks 224 and 226 on the control slide 66. For example,

The program slide 230 is displaced relative to the control slide 66 whenever the projecting tab 230a intercepts either of the abutments 40a and 40b of the program selector lever 40. The abutments 40a and 40b of the program lever 40 are spaced relative to the limits of movement of the control slide 66 such that in the illustrated leftmost position of the control slide 66 the left-hand tab of the member 234 is displaced so as to block the slot 236 in the control slide while in the far right position of the control slide the right-hand tab of the member 234 is displaced to a position to block the slot 236.

I If the abutment 40a of the lever 40 is moved out of the path of the tab 240a of the program slide 230, movement of the control slide 66 to its far left position will cause the post 238 affixed to the base 68 to intercept the end of its associated slot in the program slide 230 and therefore effect alignment of the notch of the member 234 with the notch 236 of the control slide. The notch 236 in the control slide 66 is located such that when it is immediately opposite the pin 96a, the control slide 66 is located at it its neutral position. When the pin 96a is allowed to fall into the notch 236a, the drive means earlier discussed herein is deenergized and the control slide remains in its neutral position; however, if the notch 236 is blocked by either of the tabs of member 234, the drive means remains actuated and the control slide continues to move to either of its extreme operating positions. In the left and right operating positions of the control slide 66, the pin 96a drops to a corresponding one of the cutout portions 240 and 242 (FIG. 12)

of the control slide 66 thereby permitting shutoff of the drive means.

The operation of the program selector 40 and the program slide 230 may be summarized as follows. In a continuous play position, illustrated in FIG. 11, the tab 230a of the slide 230 intercepts both the abutments 40a and 40b as the control slide the control slide 230. Hence, as the tape reaches its end of travel between the storage reels, the previously mentioned aluminum path of on the recording tape shunts the split contacts of the associated tape guidepost (see FIG. 1) and energizes the actuating solenoid 88 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the drive means. Ordinarily, the control slide 66 would be displaced from the corresponding operating position to the neutral position; however, since the notch 236 is blocked, the pin 96a maintains the drive means in an energized condition until the control slide is shifted to the extreme limit of movement in the opposite direction.

A similar pattern obtains when the selector lever is in its intermediate position excepting that the abutment 40a is now clear of the path of the program tab 230a thereby permitting the program slide 230 to continue to move with the control slide 66 in a left direction only until the post 238 abuts the end of the associated slot and effects alignment of the center notch 234 and the notch 236. Accordingly, in this operating mode, the tape first plays to the left and then to the right after which the recorder is returned to a neutral condition.

In the final or backmost position of the program selector lever 40, both of the stop abutments 40a and 40b are clear of the path of the program tab 230a. However, in movement of the control slide from neutral to either of its operating positions, the post 238 abuts a corresponding end of its associate slot to relatively shift the control and program slide and effect an alignement of the notch in a member 234 with the notch 236 in the control slide. Accordingly, after play to the end of the tape in either direction, the machine is returned to a neutral condition since the pin 96a now drops into the open notch 236.

The selector means earlier described also coacts with the program means to assure that the control slide 66 is always restored to its center neutral position upon depression of the selector knob 42 independently of the play mode selected by the program lever 40. To this end, the program slide 230 is provided with a forwardly extending arm portion 242 having a pair of spaced depending ear portions 242a and 242b. An upstanding tab 244 at one end of the linkage arm 208 is adapted to be placed in the path of one of the ears 242a and 242b, depending upon the direction of the control slide movement, for a predetermined time interval as the control slide moves from either of its operating positions to its center neutral position. This action assures that the program slide 184 is positioned relative to the control slide 66 such that the center notch 234 aligns with the notch 236.

The operation of this portion of the mechanism may best be understood by reference to FIG. 12. In this view, the selector knob has been depressed and the control slide 66 is moving from its right-hand position to its center neutral position. In so doing, the roller 222 moves up the cam peak 224 thereby pivoting the upturned tab 244 across the path of the depending lug 2421; of the program slide. The timed movement of the tab 242 across the path of the depending lug 24217 is such that the program slide 230 is displaced, if necessary, by an amount sufficient to effect an alignment of the notch in the member 234 and the notch 236 of the control slide. The cam peak 226 and the depending lug 242a coact in like fashion respectively with the roller 222 and the upturned tab 244 when the control slide is moved from its left operating position toward its neutral position.

The recorder of the present invention also includes sensor means for restoring the system to a neutral condition in the event that the record medium breaks. Specifically, a U-shaped bracket 246 is pivotally mounted upon a vertical post 248 that depends from the underside of the upper mounting base 70 (not shown in the FIG.). A pin 250 at one end of the bracket 246 projects upwardly through the mounting base 70 and is normally biased into engagement with the tape 28, shown in dotted outline in the FIG. by a spring 252. Under these normal circumstances, a depending tab 254 on a lower leg of the U- shaped bracket 246 is clear of the path of the program slide 230 and in no way influences the operation of the program means. However, if the tape 28 breaks the depending tab 254 is swung into the path of an abutment 256 of the program slide 230. The pin 250 also engages a thin wire wand (not shown) to complete an electrical circuit for energizing the solenoid 88 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Thus, the drive means is actuated to displace the control slide from its then operating position toward its center neutral position. The abutment 256 of the program slide and the tab 254 of the sensor means are constructed and arranged relative to one another such that the rectangular notch in the member 234 is always aligned with the notch 236 of the control slide when the control slide reaches its center neutral position. Therefore, the pin 96a drops into the slot 236 and the recorder stays in its neutral position.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made, and it is therefore intended in the following claims to cover all such modifications and changes as may fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A system for moving an elongated record medium in opposite directions between a pair of storage reels comprising:

control means movable between a plurality of control positions for respectively conditioning said system to transport said record medium in a preselected one of said opposite directions and to halt transport of said record medium;

motor means having a drive shaft rotatable in only one direction;

drive means including a first member adapted for rotation about a predetermined axis by said motor means and including drive members positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined axis for rotation with said first member, said drive members being adapted to alternatively engage said control means; and

selector means for displacing a predetermined one of said drive members into engagement with said control means and for causing said motor means to rotate said drive means to displace said control means to a predetermined one of said plurality of positions.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said drive means includes gear reduction apparatus between said motor means and said first member for rotating said first member at an angular velocity substantially less than that of said motor means.

3. The system of claim 2 and further including actuating means for effecting operative engagement between said motor means and said drive means in response to operation of said selector means and for effecting disengagement of said motor means and said drive means in response to said control means reaching a preselected one of said pair of control positions.

4. The system of claim 3 in which said control means comprises a slide member shiftable between a pair of linearly spaced control positions on either side of a center neutral position for respectively conditioning said system to transport said record medium in a predetermined one of said opposite directions and to halt transport of said record medium.

5. The system of claim 4 in which said actuating means is adapted for maintaining operative engagement between said motor means and said drive means for intervals corresponding to one-quarter revolution of said first member for permitting selective displacement of said slide member from said center neutral position to a predetermined one of said pair of control positions.

6. The system of claim 5 in which said actuating means comprises a circular cam plate mounted for rotation with said first member and having four cam notches in equally spaced intervals about the periphery of said cam plate and in which said actuating means includes a cam follower arm adapted to follow the circumferential surface contour of said cam plate.

7. The system of claim 6 in which said drive means includes a rockermember with said drive members being affixed to opposite ends of said rocker member and in which said rocker member is adapted for pivoting between a first and a second position to alternatively displace said drive members into and out of engagement with said slide member.

8. The system of claim 7 in which said selector means includes a manually operable control knob rotatable in opposite directions from a center neutral position and control linkages interconnecting said control knob and said rocker member for oppositely pivoting said rocker'member in accordance with the direction of rotation of said control knob.

9. The system of claim 8 and further including sensing means for developing a predetermined electrical control signal as said record medium approaches the end of travel in either of said opposite directions and second actuating means responsive to said electrical control signal for operating said drive means.

10. The system of claim 9 and further including sensor means for developing an electrical signal in response to breakage of said record medium for energizing said second actuating means to restore said slide member to a neutral condition.

11. In a recorder-reproducer for moving an elongated record medium in opposite directions between a pair of storage reels, the improvement comprising:

selector means adapted for movement in opposite directions from a center neutral position relative to a first axis and for movement along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis; first control means responsive to movement of said selector means in each of said opposite directions for initiating transport of said record medium in a corresponding one of said opposite directions, said first control means being further adapted for restoring said selector means to said center neutral position upon initiation of transport of said record medium in either of said opposite directions; and

second control means responsive to displacement of said selector means along said second predetermined axis when said selector means is in said center neutral position for halting transport of said record medium.

12. The improvement of claim 11 in which said selector means comprises a manually operable control shaft rotatable in opposite direction about said first axis and shiftable axially downward along said second axis.

13. The improvement of claim 12 and further including program means for establishing a predetermined operating cycle for said recorder-reproducer and in which depression of said manually operable selector means effectively renders said program means inoperable to thereby halt transport of said record medium independently of the selected operating mode of said program means. i

14. An apparatus for moving an elongated record medium in opposite directions between a pair of storage reels, compriscontrol means movable to a plurality of control positions for conditioning said apparatus to transport said record medium in a preselected one of said opposite directions and for halting transport of said record medium;

drive means for moving said control means between said plurality of control positions;

program means adapted for movement relative to said control means to a plurality of program positions each defining a predetermined operating mode for said apparatus;

program selection means movable to a plurality of selector positions for. effecting movement of said program means to a corresponding one of said plurality of program positions; and

actuating means for energizing said drive means to move said control means to a predetermined one of said plurality of control positions in accordance with the relative position of said program means and said control means.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said control means and said program means comprise a pair of frictionally engaged slide members.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 and further including selector means restoring said control means to a predetermined one of said control positions for halting transport of said record medium independently of the position of said program means.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 and further including sensing means responsive to breakage of said record medium for effectively overriding said program means and for energizing said drive means to move said control means to said neutral position.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 in which said control means is linearly shiftable between a pair of spaced operating positions for transporting said record medium in respective ones of said opposite directions and an intermediate neutral position for halting movement of said record medium.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 and including sensor means for developing a predetermined control signal near the end of tape travel in either of said opposite directions to actuate said drive means and move said control means to a predetermined position in accordance with the operating mode defined by said program means.

20. The apparatusof claim 19 in which said actuating means 

1. A system for moving an elongated record medium in opposite directions between a pair of storage reels comprising: control means movable between a plurality of control positions for respectively conditioning said system to transport said record medium in a preselected one of said opposite directions and to halt transport of said record medium; motor means having a drive shaft rotatable in only one direction; drive means including a first member adapted for rotation about a predetermined axis by said motor means and including drive members positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined axis for rotation with said first member, said drive members being adapted to alternatively engage said control means; and selector means for displacing a predetermined one of said drive members into engagement with said control means and for causing said motor means to rotate said drive means to displace said control means to a predetermined one of said plurality of positions.
 2. The system of claim 1 in which said drive means includes gear reduction apparatus between said motor means and said first member for rotating said first member at an angular velocity substantially less than that of said motor means.
 3. The system of claim 2 and further including actuating means for effecting operative engagement between said motor means and said drive means in response to operation of said selector means and for effecting disengagement of said motor means and said drive means in response to said control means reaching a preselected one of said pair of control positions.
 4. The system of claim 3 in which said control means comprises a slide member shiftable between a pair of linearly spaced control posiTions on either side of a center neutral position for respectively conditioning said system to transport said record medium in a predetermined one of said opposite directions and to halt transport of said record medium.
 5. The system of claim 4 in which said actuating means is adapted for maintaining operative engagement between said motor means and said drive means for intervals corresponding to one-quarter revolution of said first member for permitting selective displacement of said slide member from said center neutral position to a predetermined one of said pair of control positions.
 6. The system of claim 5 in which said actuating means comprises a circular cam plate mounted for rotation with said first member and having four cam notches in equally spaced intervals about the periphery of said cam plate and in which said actuating means includes a cam follower arm adapted to follow the circumferential surface contour of said cam plate.
 7. The system of claim 6 in which said drive means includes a rocker member with said drive members being affixed to opposite ends of said rocker member and in which said rocker member is adapted for pivoting between a first and a second position to alternatively displace said drive members into and out of engagement with said slide member.
 8. The system of claim 7 in which said selector means includes a manually operable control knob rotatable in opposite directions from a center neutral position and control linkages interconnecting said control knob and said rocker member for oppositely pivoting said rocker member in accordance with the direction of rotation of said control knob.
 9. The system of claim 8 and further including sensing means for developing a predetermined electrical control signal as said record medium approaches the end of travel in either of said opposite directions and second actuating means responsive to said electrical control signal for operating said drive means.
 10. The system of claim 9 and further including sensor means for developing an electrical signal in response to breakage of said record medium for energizing said second actuating means to restore said slide member to a neutral condition.
 11. In a recorder-reproducer for moving an elongated record medium in opposite directions between a pair of storage reels, the improvement comprising: selector means adapted for movement in opposite directions from a center neutral position relative to a first axis and for movement along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis; first control means responsive to movement of said selector means in each of said opposite directions for initiating transport of said record medium in a corresponding one of said opposite directions, said first control means being further adapted for restoring said selector means to said center neutral position upon initiation of transport of said record medium in either of said opposite directions; and second control means responsive to displacement of said selector means along said second predetermined axis when said selector means is in said center neutral position for halting transport of said record medium.
 12. The improvement of claim 11 in which said selector means comprises a manually operable control shaft rotatable in opposite direction about said first axis and shiftable axially downward along said second axis.
 13. The improvement of claim 12 and further including program means for establishing a predetermined operating cycle for said recorder-reproducer and in which depression of said manually operable selector means effectively renders said program means inoperable to thereby halt transport of said record medium independently of the selected operating mode of said program means.
 14. An apparatus for moving an elongated record medium in opposite directions between a pair of storage reels, comprising: control means movable to a plurality of control positions for conditioning said apparatus to transport said record medium in a preseLected one of said opposite directions and for halting transport of said record medium; drive means for moving said control means between said plurality of control positions; program means adapted for movement relative to said control means to a plurality of program positions each defining a predetermined operating mode for said apparatus; program selection means movable to a plurality of selector positions for effecting movement of said program means to a corresponding one of said plurality of program positions; and actuating means for energizing said drive means to move said control means to a predetermined one of said plurality of control positions in accordance with the relative position of said program means and said control means.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said control means and said program means comprise a pair of frictionally engaged slide members.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 and further including selector means restoring said control means to a predetermined one of said control positions for halting transport of said record medium independently of the position of said program means.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 and further including sensing means responsive to breakage of said record medium for effectively overriding said program means and for energizing said drive means to move said control means to said neutral position.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 in which said control means is linearly shiftable between a pair of spaced operating positions for transporting said record medium in respective ones of said opposite directions and an intermediate neutral position for halting movement of said record medium.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 and including sensor means for developing a predetermined control signal near the end of tape travel in either of said opposite directions to actuate said drive means and move said control means to a predetermined position in accordance with the operating mode defined by said program means.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 in which said actuating means includes a cam member and in which relative movement of said program means and said control means cooperatively presents a predetermined cam follower surface contour to said cam member in accordance with the selected programming of said apparatus.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 in which said program selection means includes a manually operable lever movable between a plurality of operating positions and having abutments adapted in at least one of said positions for limiting the extent of travel of said program means relative to said control means. 